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Local
Florida Legislative Black Caucus Elects New Board
Police Chief Names New District III Major
The Florida Legislative Black Caucus (FLBC) recently elected a new Executive Board. The election of the Board members is for the up- coming legislative year, 2015- 2016.
The new board members are: State Rep. Edwin Narain, Chairman; Senator Geraldine Thompson, Vice Chairman; Rep. Hazelle Rogers, Secretary; Rep. Bobby Dubose, Treasurer;
STATE RE. ED NARAIN
and Rep. Barbara Watson, Parliamentarian.
The Florida Legislative Black Caucus champions healthcare, education, busi- ness and economic develop- ment, civic, social and criminal justice, alternative energy sources, and environ- mental advancements.
The mission of the Caucus is to enhance the welfare and lives of constituents in Florida.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last month, Tampa Police
Major Diane Hobley Bur- ney was hired as the Chief of the City of Fort Pierce Police Department. And, while re- cently appointed Chief Eric Ward was excited for her, it left a vacancy in the Uniform District III Office.
Recently, Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward replaced Major Hobley Burney with Major Roosevelt “Rocky” Ratliff.
Major Ratliff was pro- moted to the rank of major in November 2014. He was ini- tially assigned as the major of District I, the district that in- cludes South and West Tampa.
On selecting Major Ratliff to serve in District III, Chief Ward said, “I needed some- one with the same philosophy and way of dealing with the community as Major Hobley Burney and myself. I feel that Major Ratliff is the right person for the job.”
Major Ratliff said, “My main goal is to reduce crime in East Tampa and make the community safe. We are con- centrating our efforts in talk- ing to the individuals causing the problems using proactive policing, foot patrols, and rid- ing bicycles.
“We are going back to walk- ing and engaging the people, getting them to trust us and help prevent crime. We are going to need everyone to help.
“The City of Tampa has more than 350,000 citizens, but we have less than 1,000
ERIC WARD
... Tampa Police Chief
MAJOR ROCKY RATLIFF ... Assigned to Uniform District III
sworn police officers. It takes a community to reduce crime to live, work, and play in East Tampa,” he said.
As a result of the other re- tirements, Chief Ward has also promoted the first group of officers since he became Chief last month.
Chief Ward has promoted Marc Hamlin and Richard O’Connor to the rank of ma- jors. He promoted Jack Diaz and Calvin Johnson to the rank of Captains. Ruth Cate, Rich Mills, Pat Crate and Gary Neal were recently named Lieutenants.
Mayor Appoints New Tampa Housing Authority Board Member
Earlier this week, Tampa
Mayor Bob Buckhorn
named the newest member of the Tampa Housing Authority. She will attend the next board meeting on June 17th, at 5301 W. Cypress Street, first floor boardroom.
Ms. Bemetra L. Sim- mons will serve on the board for a period of 4 years. She can also be reappointed by the sit- ting mayor.
Ms. Simmons is currently serving as the Hillsborough Market President at Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T). She has been in the banking in- dustry for the past 10 years.
She brings a wealth of expe- rience in community service to the board. Ms. Simmons is currently serves on the board for the Greater Tampa Chap- ter of Commerce, the Univer- sity of Tampa’s Board of Fellows, United Way Bridges,
MS. BEMETRA L. SIMMONS ... Tampa Housing Authority Board member
the Centre Club Board of Gov- ernors and Go Red for Women with the American Heart As- sociation.
The daughter of an Air Force Chaplain, Ms. Simmons has lived in 10 states and 2 coun-
tries.
She attended Christian
Brothers University in Mem- phis, TN on a basketball schol- arship and received a B. S. in Business Administration in 1997. She continued her edu- cation at Wake Forest Univer- sity, where she earned an M. B. a. in 2004.
Jerome Ryans, President and CEO of the Tampa Hous- ing Authority said, “Ms. Sim- mons will be a great asset to this agency and board. There are some amazing things tak- ing place for us and her wealth of knowledge and financial in- sight will surely take us to the next level.”
The Tampa Housing Au- thority Board of Commission- ers is comprised of six community stake holders and a resident commissioner. She is replacing board member Robert Shimberg.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-A